Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.
Today's Gospel: Mark 12:38-44
Jesus does not mince words in telling His Apostles and other disciples not to mimic the behavior of the Scribes. “Beware of the scribes,” He says, before detailing a list of their most sinful behavior. Christ actually uses the very strong and evil-sounding word “devour” in regard to their treatment of widows and proclaims that they will receive a very severe condemnation.
I tried to imagine the reaction to this speech. I’m sure that many understood and accepted this, but maybe a few outlier scribes who were hanging around were in shock. Probably most ran to the Jewish leaders to report Jesus's words. But there were some whose hearts were moved and whose lives were changed. If our minds and hearts are open to the truth, we will be changed. But how do we become more open to the truth of Christ’s (and the Church’s) teachings?
Jesus gives us the choice between “very severe condemnation and exalted happiness." We can find and follow the holy path by another of Jesus’s great teachings, the Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5:3-11. Read the beatitudes (a word which means “supreme blessedness; exalted happiness”) and live them out daily!
Ponder:
Which kind of eternity sounds better to you: severe condemnation or exalted happiness? Follow the ways of Christ!
Pray:
Merciful God, move in my heart, transform me through the sacraments of Holy Mother Church, and guide me daily in living out the beatitudes with everyone whose life I touch.
Copyright 2024 Charlene Rack
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